StrictConstruct

With the long awaited Pennsylvania primary set to occur tomorrow, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are attempting to set expectations for the results. Obama has all but conceded the state, where his recent gains in polling have been turned back after the controversy over his speech in San Francisco. Rather than predicting the possibility of a win, he has stated his aim is to “keep it close.” Clinton’s campaign, on the other hand, is stating that they would be pleased with a single digit win. Not coincidentally, both are predicting essentially the same thing, and both would claim victory if Clinton won by single digits.

If Clinton loses, most expect her to bow out of the race or at least begin the process. This has been the case with several previous races, such as in Texas, where it was built up to be a must win scenario which she ultimately pulled through in. Just as before, a loss in this state would probably spell the end to her campaign.

On the other hand, if she wins with a double digit victory, it would likely have the effect of, along with the recent Obama controversy, stopping and perhaps even reversing the shifting tides of the super-delegates, which had been heading to Obama recently. Obama obviously will not drop out of the race, but rather momentum will have shifted to Clinton.

In any case, we are once again on the eve of an “all important” Democratic primary, and one worth following as it plays out.

(Photo credit to flickr.)